Absentmindedly she traced the gold letters on the front of the small blue book. Flipping it open she looked at his picture and the words that described him. Name, Harold Smiley; Birthday, June 12, 1926; Place of birth, South Dakota, USA. “So distant”, she thought. “There has to be more to him than just those few words.”

“Who is this man?” she whispered. Slowly she turned each page. Carefully recorded were the names and dates of the places he visited. “I wonder what he did in all those places”, she said quietly to no one in particular.

“He traveled the world with the love of his life”, a gentle voice answered back.

Startled, she looked up. “How do you know that?” she asked the young man sitting before her.

“Here” he said, “Take a look at this.”

Handing her a thick, leather bound book, he continued, “You can see some of the places he has been”.

The old leather creaked as she opened the album he had handed her. Black and white photos, yellowing on the edges, were taped four to each page. Smiling from each photo was the man who’s passport she had just looked at. He was younger when these pictures were taken, she thought. “Where do you think this is?” she asked.

“That is Egypt”, said her visitor. “And those are the pyramids”

“Mighty silly looking, don’t you think?” She shook her head as she turned another page.

“He took his bride there on their honeymoon”, the young man explained. “That’s her right there”, he said as he pointed to the beautiful young woman standing next to Harold Smiley.

“She looks very happy”, said the woman.

“She was very happy”, the man replied. “Harold and his wife loved telling me about their adventures, and they had many.”

“Can you tell me one of those adventures?’

“I would love to, but I have to get back to work now.”

Picking up the old passport, the woman handed it to the young man. “Here”, she said, “you better get this back to Mr. Smiley. He might be missing it.”

“Mr. Smiley doesn’t need it anymore. He has taken the best trip ever and is waiting for his bride to join him when she can.”

“Oh I see”, said the woman a little confused. Looking back at the book, she turned another page, lost in her own thoughts.

Standing up, the young man stepped next to her and kissed the top of her head. “I will see you tomorrow mom. I can tell you one of your adventures then.”

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.

Jan, congratulations on this great win.. I know that it definitely took you by surprise, but it was very well deserved. It's now time for you to move on up to Level 3 - you're more than ready for it. Love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)